Polynesian Mythology · Chapters

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Chapter companions for Polynesian Mythology by George Grey.

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Chapter 1
Preface to the First Edition
The author, a British Governor in New Zealand, explains his motivation for learning the Māori language and collecting their ancient poems, legends, and mythology. He describes the challenges of governing during a rebellion, the difficulty of communicating through interpreters, and the need to understand Māori figurative speech and allusions. After years of effort, including losing his materials in a fire, he presents this translation of Māori traditions to aid future administrators and to preserve knowledge from dying elders.
Chapter 2
Preface to the Second Edition
Sir George Grey reflects on the thirty years since the first edition, noting the deaths of many Māori chiefs who assisted him, the impact of war, and the preservation of Māori legends, poems, and histories. He details the collection of 301 printed volumes and 223 manuscripts in the Cape of Good Hope library, emphasizing the importance of republishing the catalogue in New Zealand. He recounts the discovery of the Hinemoa legend on Mokoia in 1849 and acknowledges contributions from European and Māori collaborators.
Chapter 3
Polynesian Mythology
An overview of Polynesian mythology, covering creation stories, heroic figures, and cultural narratives that explain the origins of the world, the exploits of demigods like Māui and Tāwhaki, and the migrations that shaped Polynesian societies.
Chapter 4
The Children of Heaven and Earth
This chapter recounts the Māori creation tradition of Rangi (Heaven) and Papa (Earth), who were originally joined in darkness. Their children, led by Tānemahuta, debate whether to slay or separate their parents to bring light into the world. After several brothers fail, Tānemahuta successfully rends Heaven and Earth apart, creating the world of light. Tāwhirimātea, the god of winds and storms, opposes the separation and wages war against his brothers, attacking forests, seas, and causing the dispersal of fish and reptiles.
Chapter 5
The Legend of Māui
Māui discovers his mother Taranga and his brothers, learns of his birth and survival, seeks his father Makeatutara, and attempts to conquer death by entering Hinenuitepō. The water-wagtail's laughter wakes the goddess, causing Māui's death and the introduction of mortality to humanity.

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Preface to the First Edition

Preface to the Second Edition

Polynesian Mythology

The Children of Heaven and Earth

The Legend of Māui